Enhanced instrument procedure visualization

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing the information contained in instrument procedure charts in a more intuitive and easier to comprehend manner is provided. The provided enhanced instrument procedure visualization system displays a dynamic three-dimensional view of a selected instrument procedure, and incorporates time-relevant information from weather and traffic sources. The provided enhanced instrument procedure visualization system further allows a pilot to scroll forward and backward in time to review and study the complete instrument procedure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally toinstrument procedures. More particularly, embodiments of the subjectmatter described herein relate to a system and method that enhancesinstrument procedure visualization by dynamically displaying instrumentprocedures in three dimensions.

BACKGROUND

Although contemporary display systems for vehicles are providing moreand more detail to an operator, opportunities to improve visualizationof critical information remain. In particular, for aircraft, pilotstypically obtain the information contained in an instrument procedurefrom paper flight charts or two dimensional electronic flight charts,which are often just scanned paper flight charts. In order to apply thetwo dimensional instrument procedure information to real-time flyingscenarios, the pilot must synthesize and visualize aspects of theinstrument procedure in a time-relevant manner.

Applying the two-dimensional instrument procedure information toreal-time flying scenarios is complicated, in part because theinformation is compact and data-rich. Moreover, the pilot has toconcurrently synthesize weather and traffic information provided bydifferent sources (and typically presented on different display mediums)in order to completely comprehend and respond to the flying environment.Consequently, instrument procedures present a high cognitive workloadfor the pilot. The cognitive workload during instrument procedures maybe reduced by presenting relevant information on a singularthree-dimensional display system, and in a time-relevant (dynamic)manner. Presenting the information in three dimensions and in atime-relevant manner may also increase overall safety.

Accordingly, a system and method for providing the information containedin instrument procedure charts in a more intuitive and easier tocomprehend manner is desirable. The desired enhanced instrumentprocedure visualization system renders a dynamic three-dimensional viewof the selected instrument procedure, and additionally incorporatestime-relevant information from weather and traffic sources. The desiredenhanced instrument procedure visualization system further allows apilot to scroll forward and backward in time to review and study thecomplete instrument procedure.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

A method for displaying an instrument procedure on a three-dimensionaldisplay element, the method comprising; receiving a user selecteddestination and a user selected instrument procedure; receiving currentposition and current orientation information for a vehicle; processingthe user selected destination, user selected instrument procedure,current position and current orientation to determine a vehicle path;and processing the vehicle path and the selected instrument procedure,to generate a three-dimensional map comprising a volume surrounding thevehicle path, wherein the volume comprises one or more featuresassociated with the selected instrument procedure.

A display system for displaying an instrument procedure for a vehicle,the system comprising; a three-dimensional display element; a databasecomprising flight plan information, terrain information, frequencyinformation, chart information, weather information, and airspaceinformation; and a controller coupled to the three-dimensional displayelement, a source of a selected destination, a source of a selectedinstrument procedure, a source of a current position and a currentorientation, and the database, and configured to: determine a vehiclepath based on the selected destination, the selected instrumentprocedure, and the current position and the current orientation; andgenerate a three-dimensional map comprising a volume surrounding thevehicle path, wherein the volume comprises a feature associated with theselected instrument procedure.

A method for displaying an instrument procedure on a three-dimensionaldisplay element, the method comprising: receiving a user selecteddestination; receiving current position and orientation information foran aircraft; processing the user selected destination, current positionand current orientation to determine a vehicle path; and processing thevehicle path to generate a three-dimensional map comprising a volumesurrounding the vehicle path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, like reference numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an enhanced instrument procedurevisualization system suitable for use in an a vehicle in accordance withan embodiment;

FIGS. 2-8 are three-dimensional images, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a process for enhanced instrument procedure visualization, inaccordance with the exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the subject matter of the application and usesthereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theorypresented in the preceding background or the following detaileddescription. Presented herein for purposes of explication is a certainexemplary embodiment of how a flight course (e.g. approach or departurecourse) may be graphically generated. For example, a graphicalgeneration of an approach course will be discussed. However, it shouldbe appreciated that this explicated example embodiment is merely anexample and a guide for implementing the novel display system and methodfor graphically creating an approach/departure course. As such, theexamples presented herein are intended as non-limiting.

Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms offunctional and/or logical block components and with reference tosymbolic representations of operations, processing tasks, and functionsthat may be performed by various computing components or devices. Itshould be appreciated that any number of hardware, software, and/orfirmware components configured to perform the specified functions mayrealize the various block components shown in the figures. For example,an embodiment of a system or a component may employ various integratedcircuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices.

The following description may refer to elements or nodes or featuresbeing “coupled” together. As used herein, unless expressly statedotherwise, “coupled” means that one element/node/feature is directly orindirectly joined to (or directly or indirectly communicates with)another element/node/feature, and not necessarily mechanically. Thus,although the drawings may depict one exemplary arrangement of elements,additional intervening elements, devices, features, or components may bepresent in an embodiment of the depicted subject matter. In addition,certain terminology may also be used in the following description forthe purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting.

For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to graphics andimage processing, navigation, flight planning, aircraft controls, andother functional aspects of the systems (and the individual operatingcomponents of the systems) may not be described in detail herein.Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures containedherein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationshipsand/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should benoted that many alternative or additional functional relationships orphysical connections may be present in an embodiment of the subjectmatter.

Technologies and concepts discussed herein relate to aircraft displaysystems adapted for the dynamic display of three-dimensional images ormaps. A three-dimensional volume representing the space surrounding avehicle path is generated and dynamically rendered on the displayelement. This dynamic three-dimensional map renders features associatedwith a selected instrument procedure, allowing a user to visualize theflying environment and make quick and informed decisions. Athree-dimensional map is implemented in a manner that improvessituational awareness and reduces overall workload. By coordinating timesensitive information from a variety of sources, such as weather,traffic, and notice to airmen (NOTAM), the embodiments presented hereinsurpass mere flight simulation. In addition, by converting the variousfeatures from a two dimensional source (instrument procedure plate) to athree-dimensional presentation that is further synthesized withgeographic, weather, and traffic information, the embodiments presentedherein surpass traditional three-dimensional map presentations.

FIG. 1 depicts an enhanced instrument procedure visualization system100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The enhanced instrumentprocedure visualization system 100 includes, without limitation, adisplay element 102 for displaying a three-dimensional image 103, acontroller 112, a user interface 110, and a database 116 suitablyconfigured to support operation of the controller 112 and displayelement 102, as described in greater detail below. Although FIG. 1 showsa single display element 102, in practice, additional display elementsmay be present as independent units or onboard a host vehicle.

The controller 112 is configured to process inputs received and commanddisplay element 102 to display, render, or otherwise convey one or moregraphical three-dimensional images 103. The three-dimensional image 103may comprise a terrain and airspace map for which the controller 112continuously processes received information and updates to remaintemporally relevant (hence, occasionally referred to as a fourdimensional map). Further, the three-dimensional map may be overlaidwith two dimensional images, such as one or more text boxes to enhanceuser interaction, and/or a two dimensional image of a traditionalinstrument procedure chart. The content and presentation of thethree-dimensional image 103 are responsive to user input via userinterface 110. The controller 112 may also be configured to commanddisplay element 102 to render and/or display information pertaining toselected optional layers. Generation of the three-dimensional images 103and examples thereof are presented in connection with FIGS. 2-8.

Three-dimensional image-generating devices suitable for use as displayelement 102 typically take the form of synthetic vision display systems,and various digital (e.g., liquid crys-tal, active matrix, plasma, etc.)display devices. In certain embodiments, display element 102 may be partof a tablet or hand-held device, or assume the form of a Head-DownDisplay (HDD) or a Head-Up Display (HUD) included within a rotorcraft'sElectronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS).

Depending on the embodiment, the controller 112 may be implemented orrealized with a general purpose processor, a content addressable memory,a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit,a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein.The controller 112 may also be implemented as a combination of computingdevices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor and amicroprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, orany other such configuration. Furthermore, the steps of a method orprocess described in connection with the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software moduleexecuted by the controller 112, or in any practical combination thereof.

In various embodiments, the user interface 110 may be realized as one ormore of: a keypad, touchpad, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, joystick,knob, microphone, gesture reader, or any other suitable device adaptedto receive input from a user. In preferred embodiments, user interface110 may be a touchscreen, cursor control device, joystick, or the like.In practice, the user may view a three-dimensional image 103 on thedisplay element 102, and respond to the displayed information byproviding user input by touching an area of the display element 102 thatis touch sensitive, and/or by touching or otherwise entering user inputon any other suitable user interface 110.

In operation, the controller 112 receives real-time navigational dataand/or information regarding operation of the aircraft from thenavigation system 104. Controller 112 communicates to and/or from thehost aircraft via the communications system 106, as is appreciated inthe art; and controller 112 may further receive real-time data and/orinformation regarding operation of the aircraft from any of the flightmanagement system 108, the navigation system 104 and the communicationssystem 106. The user interface 110 is coupled to the controller 112, andthe user interface 110 and the controller 112 are cooperativelyconfigured to process user to interaction with display element 102 andother elements of enhanced instrument procedure visualization system100, as described herein.

Navigation systems 104 may include an inertial reference system 118, anavigation database 120 and one or more wireless receivers 122 forreceiving navigational data from external sources in a well-knownmanner. Inertial reference system 118 and wireless receiver 122 providecontroller 112 with navigational information derived from sourcesonboard and external to the host aircraft, respectively. Morespecifically, inertial reference system 118 provides controller 112 withinformation describing various flight parameters of the host vehicle oraircraft (e.g., position, orientation, velocity, etc.) as monitored by anumber of motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.)deployed onboard the vehicle. By comparison, wireless receiver 122receives navigational information from various sources external to theaircraft. These sources may include various types of navigational aids(e.g., global position systems, non-directional radio beacons, very highfrequency Omni-directional radio range devices (VORs), etc.),ground-based navigational facilities (e.g., Air Traffic Control Centers,Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities, Flight Service Stations, andcontrol towers), and ground-based guidance systems (e.g., instrumentlanding systems). In certain instances, wireless receiver 122 may alsoperiodically receive traffic information from neighboring aircraft, forexample, via Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems.In a specific implementation, wireless receiver 122 assumes the form ofa multi-mode receiver (MMR) having global navigational satellite systemcapabilities.

Navigation database 120 traditionally stores information required toconstruct flight plans and approach courses. For example, the navigationdatabase 120 may contain information pertaining to the geographicallocation of reference points (e.g. waypoints) and line segments thatconnect the waypoints (e.g., legs) for various terminal area procedures.Such procedures may include runways, approaches, approach transitions,standard terminal arrival route (STAR), and STAR transitions, each to bediscussed in detail below. The runway procedure will define the runwaysfor an airport, while the approach procedure will define the flight paththat should be followed for the selected runway. For example, LosAngeles International Airport (LAX) has multiple runways and variousapproaches for each runway. The approach transition procedure willfurther define the proper position of the aircraft for the selectedapproach and runway. The STAR and STAR transition procedure will furtherdefine the required flight course for the selected approach.

The navigation system 104 is configured to obtain one or morenavigational parameters associated with operation of the aircraft. Thenavigation system 104 may be realized as a global positioning system(GPS), inertial reference system (IRS), or a radio-based navigationsystem (e.g., VHF Omni-directional radio range (VOR) or long range aidto navigation (LORAN)), and may include one or more navigational radiosor other sensors suitably configured to support operation of thenavigation system 104, as will be appreciated in the art. In anexemplary embodiment, the navigation system 104 is capable of obtainingand/or determining the instantaneous position of the aircraft, that is,the current location of the aircraft (e.g., the latitude and longitude)and the altitude or above ground level for the aircraft. The navigationsystem 104 may also obtain and/or determine the heading of the aircraft(i.e., the direction the aircraft is traveling in relative to somereference).

In an exemplary embodiment, the communications system 106 is suitablyconfigured to support communications between the aircraft and anotheraircraft or ground location (e.g., air traffic control). In this regard,the communications system 106 may be realized using a radiocommunication system or another suitable data link system. In anexemplary embodiment, the flight management system 108 (or,alternatively, a flight management computer) is located onboard theaircraft. Although FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of enhancedinstrument procedure visualization system 100, in practice, the flightmanagement system 108 may be coupled to one or more additional modulesor components as necessary to support navigation, flight planning, andother aircraft control functions in a conventional manner.

In an embodiment, features of the enhanced instrument procedurevisualization system 100 are distributed throughout the host vehicle. Inanother embodiment, the enhanced instrument procedure visualizationsystem 100 is configured to form a standalone independent unit, residingon a device such as a tablet, carry-on, or other hand-held device. In astandalone embodiment, database 116 may actually represent a pluralityof databases that have been pre-loaded with information (describedhereinabove) from, for example, the navigation system 104 communicationssystem 106 and flight management system 108. In the standaloneembodiment, database 116 may, therefore, comprise any of the following:a navigation database comprising flight plan information; a source ofterrain information; a source of frequency information; a source ofchart information; a source of weather information; and a source ofairspace information.

FIGS. 2-8 are two dimensional snapshots of three-dimensional images thatmay be rendered on display element 102 at various points in time, inresponse to a user selected instrument procedure being displayed or“played” on the enhanced instrument procedure visualization system 100;it should be understood that images rendered on the display element 102appear as dynamic, three-dimensional images, akin to watching orpreviewing a motion picture showing relevant features of a selectedinstrument procedure. The three-dimensional image comprises a volumesurrounding a vehicle path. In an embodiment, the volume may compriseone or more predetermined distances in each direction around thevehicle, aligned with the vehicle path. In another embodiment, thevolume may represent a predetermined amount of elapsed time around thevehicle and aligned with the vehicle path, at a predetermined travelingspeed. Rendered within the volume is time-relevant and user selectedfeatures and information from multiple sources and databases 116.

An embodiment allows the user to “play” (where “play” refers to startingboth the display of and control of the display of) an instrumentprocedure while watching it as a dynamic synthetic vision display,obtaining instrument procedure information (i.e., features of theinstrument procedure) with time-relevance. The enhanced instrumentprocedure visualization system 100 supports stopping, starting, andmoving forward and backward in time, responsive to user input. FIGS. 2-8are provided to show features provided, as time elapses, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment. A person with skill in the art willreadily recognize that a variety of other features, consistent with anamount of elapsed time, may be presented for a selected instrumentprocedure without departing from the scope of the invention presentedherein. A slider bar (FIG. 2 202) allows a user to advance forward intime as well as going backward in time to review information relevant toa selected instrument procedure.

In the embodiments below, some overlays are described as being renderedin a visually distinguishable manner. Any one of a plurality of commonlyknown techniques may be employed to make an overlay visuallydistinguishable, non-limiting examples include: highlighting; changingcolor or opacity of text, backgrounds, or symbols; placing a borderaround something; changing font size or color; making a border, fill, orsymbol shaded, hatched, dotted; etc.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional image 200, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment. Three-dimensional image 200 may be displayed on displayelement 102. A banner 202, having text boxes 203, 205, 207, 209, and211, may be overlaid on three-dimensional image 200. A conventionalprocedure chart 204 may also be overlaid on three-dimensional image 200.As previously mentioned [instrument] procedure chart 204 providesinformation that pilots traditionally rely on to brief an instrumentprocedure before flying it. In addition, a vertical profile 206 may beoverlaid on the three-dimensional image 200.

Within the banner 202, a “Go” button 211 allows the user to prompt theenhanced instrument procedure visualization system 100 to display thevehicle path, generally from an overhead perspective. User input maytoggle back and forth between displaying (overlaying) and removing fromthe three-dimensional image 200 each of the banner 202 items, procedurechart 204, and vertical profile 206. A “play” button 208 may be renderedon a touch sensitive portion of the display element 102, to allow theuser to start the enhanced instrument procedure visualization for aselected instrument procedure. A slider bar 222 allows the pilot to moveback and forth in time within a selected instrument procedure, and,responsive to the position of the slider, controller 112 processes inputand updates the three-dimensional image on the display element 102.

Along banner 202, text boxes may be overlaid or incorporated to provideuseful information to the pilot while the pilot is watching a selectedinstrument procedure. In an exemplary embodiment, text boxes 203, 205,207, 209, and 211 are used to indicate optional layers. Non-limitingexamples of optional layers may include a waypoint list, frequenciesinformation, traffic, weather, NOTAMs, AHRS, and a procedure chart (intwo dimensions). In response to user selection of an optional layer, thesystem overlays one or more features from the user selected optionallayer on the three-dimensional image 103, and removes therefrom anyfeatures associated with user de-selected optional layers.

The organization of the text boxes, and their content, may be modifiedaccording to user input. In an embodiment, a unique code for airportidentification may be located in text box 203, a runway number chosen bythe pilot in text box 205, an “approach type” (type of approach into therunway) in text box 207, and a navigational aid (NAVAID) leading intothe start of the approach (known as the approach transition), in textbox 209.

Three-dimensional image 200 comprises a plurality of features providedto communicate information to a pilot in an intuitive and readilycomprehensible manner. A three-dimensional representation of theairspace 210 owned by the airport with the runway 212 is shown. Waypoint214 and waypoint 215 are each shown with their name and respectivealtitude overlaid in a text bubble next to the waypoint. For eachwaypoint, the altitude provided may be an altitude that the pilot mustfly at/at or above/or below. Important information such as bearing andfrequency 220 for a corresponding navigational aid are overlaid in aconvenient location near the flight path 221, so that the pilot mayeasily reference this information while watching the procedure.

FIG. 3 is another three-dimensional image 300, in accordance with theexemplary embodiment. An optional waypoints list 302 has been overlaidon three-dimensional image 300, responsive to a user input selection ofa waypoints optional layer. Traffic from Automatic DependentSurveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and eventually 4-Dimensional TrajectoryBased Operations (4D TBO) where aircraft are managed such that theircurrent position is known along with trajectory such that future lateralposition and altitude are predicted with high levels of certaintyparticularly in the terminal area during arrival, through approach andlanding, may be displayed, for example, neighboring aircraft 304, withan associated text bubble 306. In an embodiment, text bubble 306provides altitude in feet above the host aircraft, and distance innautical miles away from the host aircraft. On the vertical profile 206,waypoints are also represented, for example, conventional symbolsrepresenting altitude constraints such as the symbol waypoint 308 andthe symbol representing waypoint 310.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional image 400, in accordance with theexemplary embodiment, after some flying time has elapsed. As theinstrument procedure progresses, additional neighboring trafficpredicted locations 406 (with associated text bubble 408) is shown, andthe enhanced instrument procedure visualization system 100 may renderthe next waypoint (waypoint 401 and the associated text bubble 402) in avisually distinguishable manner. The next waypoint may also be renderedin a visually distinguishable manner on the vertical profile (waypoint403).

In FIG. 4 the pilot is alerted to hazardous/severe predicted weather.The hazardous/severe predicted weather region may be a three-dimensionalvolume, and may be displayed or overlaid on the three-dimensional image400 in a visually distinguishable manner. In FIG. 4, region 410 is analert to hazardous/severe predicted weather. A pilot may select theregion 410 (using any suitable user input technique and user inputinterface 110), and in response, the enhanced instrument procedurevisualization system 100 will overlay a text bubble proximate to region410 (FIG. 5 text bubble 502) that provides detailed textual informationassociated with the hazardous/severe predicted weather. The display ofthe hazardous/severe predicted weather region 410 allows the pilot towatch and/or monitor weather events that are nearby the flight path 221.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional image 500, in accordance with theexemplary embodiment, after more elapsed flying time from FIG. 4.Comparing FIG. 4 to FIG. 5, one may observe that more time has elapsedin the instrument procedure (for example, the host aircraft has passedwaypoint AROKE, and the slider bar 222 is further to the right). Textbubble 502 displays detailed information associated with thehazardous/severe predicted weather region 410. In response to the userselecting the airport 504, the enhanced instrument procedurevisualization system 100 may display a text box 506, which provides adetailed textual forecast for the airport at the predicted time oflanding.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional image 600, in accordance with theexemplary embodiment, showing the display of additional time-relevantinformation. At any point along the “play” of the selected instrumentprocedure, the enhanced instrument procedure visualization system 100may also overlay three-dimensional image 600 with time-relevant Noticesto Airman (NOTAM) 602.

FIG. 7 is another three-dimensional image 700, in accordance with theexemplary embodiment, showing more time-relevant information. At anypoint along the “play” of the selected instrument procedure, theenhanced instrument procedure visualization system 100 may also overlaythree-dimensional image 600 with communication frequencies 702 for theapproaching airspace.

FIG. 8 is yet another three-dimensional image 800, in accordance withthe exemplary embodiment. At any point along the “play” of the selectedinstrument procedure, in response to user input, the enhanced instrumentprocedure visualization system 100 may overlay three-dimensional image600 with one or more from the set including: airspeed indications 802,attitude information 804 on pitch and bank of the host aircraft, headingand navigation information 806, and altitude information 808. A personwith skill in the art will readily recognize that the informationcontent, form factor, and location on the three-dimensional image 800 ofairspeed indications 802, attitude information 804 on pitch and bank ofthe host aircraft, heading and navigation information 806, and altitudeinformation 808 are consistent with a contemporary presentation of theinformation.

FIG. 9 is a process 900 for enhanced instrument procedure visualization,in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. It is readily appreciatedthat process 900 may have additional steps, the steps may be arranged ina different order, and steps may be consolidated. At STEP 902 a selecteddestination and a selected instrument procedure is received. Theselected destination and the selected instrument procedure, including aflight path, may be sourced from a user selection or from an externalsystem. At STEP 904 information comprising a current position and acurrent orientation of a host vehicle is received. Wherein the hostvehicle is an aircraft, receiving a selected destination is receiving anairport, and receiving current position and current orientation for avehicle comprises receiving respective aircraft direction, aircraftattitude, aircraft speed, and aircraft altitude, from one or morerespective databases 116 in a hand-held unit, or from the respectiveaircraft systems and sources. The controller 112 processes currentposition information, current orientation information, the selecteddestination, and the selected instrument procedure to determine avehicle path in STEP 906. At STEP 908, the process 900 generates athree-dimensional map surrounding the vehicle path based on informationfrom at least one from the set including a navigation database,terrain/elevation database, frequency database, airport/airspacedatabase, chart database, and weather database. At STEP 910, the vehiclepath and the three-dimensional map are rendered on the synthetic visiondisplay element 102.

At STEP 912, a user selected optional layer may be received. Theoptional layers include, but are not limited to, a waypoint list,frequencies information, traffic, weather, NOTAMs, AHRS, and a procedurechart (in two dimensions). At STEP 914, the system overlays one or morefeatures associated with the user selected optional layer, and removesany features associated with de-selected optional layers. In practice,STEPS 912-914 may appear as follows: a user selects a first optionallayer, the process receives the first user selected optional layer andrenders one or more features associated with the first selected optionallayer, followed by the process receiving a deselection of the firstoptional layer and receiving a second user selected optional layer.Accordingly, one or more features associated with the second optionallayer are rendered on the three-dimensional image and featuresassociated with the deselected first optional layer are removed from thethree-dimensional image.

The embodiments described herein provide a system and method forenhanced instrument procedure visualization. In addition to providinginstrument procedure information in an intuitive, readilycomprehensible, three-dimensional synthetic vision display, embodimentsincorporate relevant information from weather and traffic sources, andallow the user to move a slider bar 222 to effect scrolling the selectedinstrument procedure forward and/or backward in time. In response toscrolling the instrument procedure forward or backward in time, thecontroller 112 processes inputs and updates the three-dimensional imageon the display element 102 to represent features of the selectedinstrument procedure at a time associated with the time placement of theslider bar 222. Embodiments also respond to user input requesting thedisplay of information corresponding to one or more optional informationlayers, and features associated with selected optional informationlayers are displayed without hiding a substantial portion of thethree-dimensional map on the synthetic vision display. Theaforementioned features reduce cognitive workload and increase safety.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description of the invention, it should beappreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also beappreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments areonly examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability,or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoingdetailed description will provide those skilled in the art with aconvenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. It being understood that various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for displaying an instrument procedureon a three-dimensional display element, the method comprising; at acontroller, receiving a user selected destination and a user selectedinstrument procedure; receiving current position and current orientationinformation for a vehicle; processing the user selected destination,user selected instrument procedure, current position and currentorientation to determine a vehicle path; processing the vehicle path andthe selected instrument procedure, to generate a three-dimensional mapcomprising the vehicle path and a volume surrounding the vehicle path,wherein the volume (i) is selected from among the set including (a) apredetermined amount of elapsed time around the vehicle at apredetermined traveling speed, and (b) predetermined distances aroundthe vehicle, and (ii) comprises one or more features associated with theselected instrument procedure; and commanding the three-dimensionaldisplay element to dynamically render the three-dimensional map as athree-dimensional dynamic synthetic vision image.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, the vehicle path is a flightpath, the selected destination is an airport, and the step of receivingcurrent position and orientation for a vehicle comprises receivingrespective aircraft direction, aircraft attitude, aircraft speed, andaircraft altitude.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thethree-dimensional display element comprises a synthetic vision displayelement.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: overlaying, onthe three-dimensional dynamic synthetic vision image, a banner with textboxes providing optional layers; receiving a first user selectedoptional layer; and rendering, on the three-dimensional map, a featureassociated with the first user selected optional layer, responsive tothe user selection.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:receiving a second user selected optional layer; rendering, on thethree-dimensional map, a feature associated with the second userselected optional layer; and removing, from the three-dimensional map,the feature associated with the first user selected optional layer inresponse to receiving a user de-selection of the first user selectedoptional layer.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the optional layersare selected from among the set including waypoint list, frequencies,traffic, weather, notice to airmen (NOTAMs), attitude and headingreference system (AHRS), and procedure chart.
 7. A display system fordisplaying an instrument procedure for a vehicle, the system comprising;a three-dimensional display element; a database comprising flight planinformation, terrain information, frequency information, chartinformation, weather information, and airspace information; and acontroller coupled to the three-dimensional display element, a source ofa selected destination, a source of a selected instrument procedure, asource of a current position and a current orientation, and thedatabase, and configured to: determine a vehicle path based on theselected destination, the selected instrument procedure, and the currentposition and the current orientation; and generate a dynamicthree-dimensional map comprising a volume surrounding the vehicle path,wherein the volume (i) comprises a feature associated with the selectedinstrument procedure, and (ii) moves forward or backward in timeresponsive to user input; command the three-dimensional display elementto dynamically render the three-dimensional map as a synthetic visionimage.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, thevehicle path is a flight path, the selected destination is an airport,and the controller is further configured to receive aircraft direction,aircraft attitude, aircraft speed, and aircraft altitude.
 9. The systemof claim 8, wherein the three-dimensional display element comprises asynthetic vision display element.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: command the three-dimensionaldisplay element to display a banner with text boxes providing optionallayers; receive a first user selected optional layer; and render on thethree-dimensional map, a feature associated with the first user selectedoptional layer.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller isfurther configured to: receive a second user selected optional layer;and render, on the three-dimensional map, a feature associated with thesecond user selected optional layer.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinthe optional layers are selected from among the set including waypointlist, frequencies, traffic, weather, notice to airmen (NOTAMs), attitudeand heading reference system (AHRS), and procedure chart.
 13. A methodfor displaying aircraft information on a three-dimensional syntheticvision display element, the method comprising: at a controller,receiving an instrument procedure; receiving a selected destination;receiving a current position and a current orientation for an aircraft;processing the user selected destination, the current position and thecurrent orientation to determine a vehicle path; and processing thevehicle path and the instrument procedure to generate (i) athree-dimensional map comprising the vehicle path and a volumesurrounding the vehicle path, and (ii) a plurality of text boxesindicating optional layers for display; and dynamically rendering, onthe three-dimensional synthetic vision display element, thethree-dimensional map and the plurality of text boxes.
 14. (canceled)15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: rendering a featureassociated with the selected instrument procedure within thethree-dimensional map.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicleis an aircraft, the vehicle path is a flight path, the selecteddestination is an airport, and the step of receiving current positionand current orientation for a vehicle comprises receiving respectiveaircraft direction, aircraft attitude, aircraft speed, and aircraftaltitude.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: receiving afirst user selected optional layer; and rendering, on thethree-dimensional map, a feature associated with the first user selectedoptional layer.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:receiving a second user selected optional layer; and rendering, on thethree-dimensional map, a feature associated with the second userselected optional layer.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingremoving, from the three-dimensional map, the feature associated withthe first user selected optional layer in response to receiving a userde-selection of the first user selected optional layer.
 20. The methodof claim 19, wherein the optional layers are selected from among the setincluding waypoint list, frequencies, traffic, weather, notice to airmen(NOTAMs), attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), and procedurechart.
 21. The method of claim 13, further comprising, dynamicallymoving the three-dimensional map forward or backward in time responsiveto user input.